New York’s best food & drink

Located where the High Line meets Chelsea and the Meatpacking District, this erstwhile warehouse is one of New York’s great foodie destinations. The rambling hall is crammed by casual restaurants, food kiosks, and speciality food shops.

With its vaulted tiled ceiling, this restaurant underneath one of the world’s most famous railways stations has been shucking oysters since 1913 and is one of the city’s most iconic places to tuck into a plate of seafood.

Sure, there’s been a relatively recent trend of (great) Neapolitan-style pizzerias making the leap from Italy to the Big Apple. But there will always be New York-style pizza, coal-oven cooked and crispy on the bottom. One of the best (and oldest) is this Greenwich Village mainstay.

If New York were to have a ‘specialty’ dish, cheesecake would be a contender, and when New Yorkers want cheesecake they go to Junior’s. This iconic diner-café has been serving up a mind-boggling variety since the 1950s. The original was in Brooklyn; there are now also restaurants in central Manhattan on 45th and 49th Streets.

“I’ll have what she’s having,” is the famous line from the When Harry Met Salley movie scene set in this ancient palace of pastrami that’s been slicing and serving top-notch cured meat since 1888.

What began as a German beer hall in 1887 is now one of the best steakhouses in America. Located under the Williamsburg Bridge in Brooklyn, Peter Lugar is a true New York City experience. Reservations are essential.

This craft distillery in NoHo, Manhattan, specialises in producing premium gin, vodka, and whiskey using traditional distillation techniques and high-quality ingredients. Visitors can book guided tours, to learn about the distilling process and the history behind each spirit. Tastings are also available, providing a chance to sample and savour the distinct flavours of their spirits.

This vibrant farmers’ market, nestled in the heart of the city, is the place to go for locally-sourced produce and artisanal goods. A strict ‘grow-your-own’ rule to promote a direct farm-to-table food chain ensures the freshest produce and that profits go directly back to those who grow and make it. A locals hangout, it’s a great place for soaking up some authentic ‘New Yorker’ atmosphere. Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday.